2012 Urban Farm Workshare and Internship Program in Ottawa

Aylmer Backyard Farms is a small urban farm made up of backyards in Aylmer, Quebec. Our 2012 workshare program is a part-time season-long farming internship. It is an exchange of mutual benefit: we benefit from the interest and hard work provided by folks who want to learn about urban farming and/or who are supportive of good, local food. You benefit from a full season of hands-on learning in all aspects of running a small market garden in an urban setting as well as a weekly basket of fresh, organically grown veggies. If you want to learn how to grow your own vegetables, become a farmer or are passionate about good, local food, here’s your chance!

A workshare at Aylmer Backyard Farms is ideal for those based in the city and who have other commitments, yet want to be involved in hyper-local, organic (not-certified) vegetable farming. We offer three options that require a season-long commitment of either one to two full days per week beginning early May to mid October. We will consider those who want to join for only a half-day but give strong preference to those who can commit to at least one full day per week. A day’s commitment can sometimes be split among two mornings. We work Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. – 1:00p.m.

You do not need to have gardening or farming experience although this is always helpful as are other skills such as carpentry or being a general “handy-person”. What you do need is to be reliable, eager to learn and willing to work hard at a fast pace under all weather conditions and to enjoy receiving delicious vegetables. We do our best to provide a great learning environment and immerse you as much as possible in all aspects of running an urban farm from seed to sale.